Lucky Break #6 Read Free

Kong, and they were anxious to get him into school right away. We auditioned him over the midterm break, and were very impressed. He has a strong classical background to his dancing, which you migh’ find interesting.”
    Marmalade kept his expression neutral. He wasn’t sure he liked the idea of a new student arriving who might be better than him.
    â€œDon’ worry!” Mr. Penardos said with a laugh, as if he’d read Marmalade’s mind. “He won’t steal your glory. You can teach him plenty abou’ freestyle dancing. He needs to learn all abou’ modern styles, but he’ll make an excellent addition to our class, so I hope you’ll make an effort to get along with him.”
    â€œOkay,” said Marmalade, sounding more enthusiastic. Rockley Park taught some classical ballet, but the emphasis was very much on modern dance. It sounded to Marmalade as if he would still be top dog, and he might be able to pick up some tips from the new boy as well.
    â€œHe’s not confident like you,” Mr. Penardos went on. “He’s quite shy, and is sure to need some help settling in, so I wondered if you’d like to look out for him for a while?”
    Marmalade’s eyes lit up. That sounded like fun! He would enjoy being in charge and showing the new boy around. “Of course I will,” he agreed, his mind running ahead. He would soon put a new student at ease and share all his knowledge about the most laid-back teachers—and those he would have to watch out for. And a new student would be a new audience for all his jokes and antics! “What’s his name?” Marmalade asked Mr. Penardos.
    â€œJack Cheung,” said his teacher. “He is a very talented dancer with real promise. But it’s not going to be easy for him, joining us almos’ at the end of the school year, and having jus’ come from abroad. Everything will be new for him. Will you take him under your wing . . . without leading him astray?” he added.
    Marmalade grinned. “Yeah!” he agreed. “It’ll be great to have another real dancer. We’re such a small group.”
    â€œGood.” Mr. Penardos smiled. “Maybe having a bit of responsibility for someone else will help you settle down. I know some of the other teachers think you can be too exuberant.”
    After showering, Marmalade went to his room. Danny was there already and so were his other two roommates, guitarists Ben and Ed.
    â€œDid Mr. Penardos yell at you for fooling around?” asked Danny.
    Marmalade grinned. “No, I got away with it,” he told him. “And he gave me some interesting news.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” asked Ben.
    â€œA new student is coming,” Marmalade announced. “Another dancer. Mr. Penardos has asked me to look out for him until he gets settled in.”
    â€œHe’s missed almost the whole year!” Ed exclaimed. “It seems like a weird time to change schools.”
    â€œHe’s just come from Hong Kong,” Marmalade told his friends. “His parents want him to get settled as soon as possible.”
    â€œIf it were me,” said Ed, “I’d have tried to wrangle a few weeks’ extra vacation and start school next year!”
    â€œMaybe he did try, but his parents wouldn’t let him,” said Marmalade, wanting to stick up for his new charge.
    â€œI wonder which bedroom Mr. South will put him in?” said Ben. “Ravi has a spare bed in his room, and so does Charlie, now that Robbie’s left.”
    â€œRavi’s room, I hope,” Danny said. “Charlie might not be nice to a new kid.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Marmalade said. “Wherever he is, he’ll be fine with me looking out for him!”

3. New Boy
    The next morning, Mr. South called Ravi and Marmalade into his office after breakfast.
    â€œThis is Jack Cheung,” the resident adviser said,